Electrical interconnects in an electronic contact lens

Abstract

Ophthalmic lenses, including contact lenses may be enhanced through the incorporation of both active and passive electrical components. Electrical interconnects and die attachment configurations are required to ensure electrical connectivity between the components and the optic portion of the lens as well as providing a means for mounting planar devices on spherical surfaces. Electrical interconnects and die attachment for powered ophthalmic devices, including contact lenses includes realizing conductive traces on optical plastic, attaching planar dies to spherical surfaces and underfilling, overmolding and light blocking to complete the lens.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 564,922 filed on Nov. 30, 2011.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to contact lenses, and more particularly to an electronic contact lens to correct and / or enhance vision, or to otherwise perform a useful ophthalmic function. The electronic contact lens comprises an optics component and an electronic component which are operatively associated with each other via electrical and mechanical structures. The electronic component itself may comprise multiple components which are also electrically and mechanically interconnected.[0004]2. Discussion of the Related Art[0005]As electronic devices continue to be miniaturized, it is becoming increasingly more likely to create wearable or embeddable microelectronic devices for a variety of uses. Such uses may include monitoring aspects of body chemistr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]The present invention is directed to the mechanical and electrical modifications to ophthalmic devices, for example, contact lenses necessary to accommodate the incorporation of any number of electronic/electro-optic devices. The present invention is directed to various means, including raised structures on or in the lens that facilitate the mounting of planar structures on the non-planar or spherical surface of the lens. The present invention is directed to the various means for interconnecting the various components that comprise an electronic or powered contact lens, including the incorporation of metalized or otherwise electrically conductive traces into the optic polymer as well as creating through-hole vias so that multiple surfaces or layers may be utilized. The present invention is directed to the various means and methods to manufacture contact lenses with these additional elements and/or components safely and inexpensively.

[0013]The mechanical and electrical modifications in accordance with the present in...

Problems solved by technology

The expense of any such contact lens will be a function of the functionality of...

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